Presidents of

the
Republic of the
Philippines

President of the Philippines

The President of the

Philippines is the head of
state and government of the
Republic of the Philippines.

The executive power is

vested in the President of
the Philippines.

The President of the

Philippines in Filipino is
referred to as Ang Pangulo or
Pangulo (or informally,
"Presidente").

First Republic (Malolos Republic)

(First Dictatorship) (1899-1901)
Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899-April 1, 1901)

Commonwealth (American Era) (1935-1944)

Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 August 1,
1944)

Second Republic (Japanese Occupation) (19431945)

Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 August 14,
1945)(de facto)

Commonwealth (Restored) (1944-1946)

Sergio Osmea (August 1, 1944 May 28, 1946)

Third Republic
(Post-American Era) (1946-1972)

Challenges of Third Republic

After the war, the Commonwealth
was restored pending complete
independence. With independence
from the US came the
establishment of the Third
Republic of the Philippines. The
government of the independent
Republic was riddled with graft
and corruption and lost the
confidence of the people. The
corruption within the government
also resulted in the rise of the Left
in the form of the HUKBALAHAP
or the Huks. The Huks presented
even more problems to the
Republic.

Manuel Acuna Roxas

Fifth President
First President of the Independent
Third Republic of the Philippines
1946 - 1948
If war should come, I am certain of
one thingprobably the only thing of
which I can be certainand it is this:
That America and the Philippines will
be found on the same side, and
American and Filipino soldiers will
again fight side by side in the same
trenches or in the air or at sea in the
defense of justice, freedom and other
principles which we both loved and
cherished.
He was inaugurated on July 4,
1946, the day the U.S.
government granted political
independence to its colony.

(May 28, 1946 April 15, 1948)

Nacionalista (19191945)
Liberal Party (19451948)

Biography

was born in Capiz (now Roxas City)

studied law at UP and graduated with
honors in 1913.
he topped the Bar examinations in 1913,
was employed as private secretary to Chief
Justice Cayetano Arellano
taught law in 1915-1916.
started in politics when appointed as a
member of the Capiz municipal council.
In 1919, he was elected as governor of
Capiz.
elected as congressman in 1922 and
became House Speaker
1935, he was chosen as a delegate to the
Constitutional Convention.
Serve also as Secretary of Finance under
Quezons Administration
elected as a senator in 1941 and eventually
became Senate President
he was also a reserve Major in the
Philippine Army, a liaison officer and aide-tocamp to General Douglas MacArthur, then
later promoted to Colonel and then Brigadier
General.

Achievements

greatest achievements, namely: the

ratification of the Bell Trade Act; the
inclusion of the Parity Amendment in
the Constitution; and the signing of the
1947 Military Bases Agreement
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of
war-ravanged Philippines
Improvement of the ruined economy
Adopted the pro-American policy.

Problems
Graft and corruption in the government, as
evidenced by the Surplus of War Property
Scandal, Chinese Immigration Quota Scandal,
School Supplies Scandal:
Failure to check the Communist HUK
movement.

Elpidio Rivera Quirino

Sixth President
Second President of the Third Republic
1948 - 1953
While I recognise the United States as a
great builder in this country, I have never
surrendered the sovereignty, much less the
dignity and future of our country.
Elpidio Quirino[
Significant Event
Two Asian heads of state visited PhilippinesPresident
Chiang Kai-shek of Nationalist China (Formosa) in July
1949 and President Achmed Sukarno of Indonesia in
January 1951.
On May 26-30, 1950, upon Quirino's invitation seven
free Asian nations held the Baguio Conference of 1950
to discuss common problems of Asian peace and
security.
Korean War and over 7,450 Filipino soldiers were sent
to Korea under the designation of the Philippine
Expeditionary Forces to Korea or PEFTOK

(November 16, 1890 February

29, 1956)

Early life and career

born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to Don
Mariano Quirino of Caoayan and Dona
Gregoria Mendoza Rivera of Aringay
spent his early years in Aringay, La
Union.
spent his elementary education to his
native, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur and were
he became a barrio teacher.
He received secondary education at
Vigan High School
worked as junior computer in the
Bureau of Lands and as property clerk
in the Manila police department.
graduated from Manila High School in
1911 and also passed the civil service
examination, first-grade.
attended the University of the
Philippines. In 1915, he earned his law
degree from the university's College of
Law, and was admitted to the bar later
that year.
engaged in the private practice of law

Early Political Career

elected as member of the Philippine House
of Representatives from 1919 to 1925,
Senator from 1925 to 1931
Secretary of Finance and Secretary of the
Interior in the Commonwealth government.
In 1934, a member of the Philippine
Independence mission to Washington D.C.,
headed by Manuel L. Quezon that secured
the passage in the United States Congress
of the Tydings-McDuffie Act.
After the war, Quirino continued public
service, becoming president pro tempore of
the Senate.
In 1946, he was elected first vice president
of the independent Republic of the
Philippines, serving under Manuel Roxas.
He also served as secretary of state.

Two main objectives of his

administration:
the economic reconstruction of
the nation
the restoration of the faith and
confidence of the people in the
government.
Creation of PACSA:
Presidents Action
Committee on Social
Amelioration
Creation of ACCFA:
Agricultural Credit
Cooperatives Financing
Administration
Excellence in Foreign
Relations.

Problems
Lack of Funds
HUK Problem: Terrorism and Disruption of Peace
and order.
Graft and corruption in his government, as
revealed in theTambobong-Buenavista scandal, the
Import Control Anomalies, the Caledonia Pile Mess
and the Textbook Racket;
Wasteful spending of the people's money in
extravagant junkets abroad;
Failure of government to check the Huk menace
which made travel in the provinces unsafe, as
evidenced by the killing of former First Lady Aurora
Quezon and her companions on April 21, 1949 by
the Huks on the Bongabong-Baler road, Baler,
Tayabas (no part of Aurora province).
Economic distress of the times, aggravated by
rising unemployment rate, soaring prices of
commodities, and unfavorable balance of trade.
Quirino's vaunted "Total Economic Mobilization
Policy" failed to give economic relief to the suffering
nation.
Frauds and terrorism committed by the Liberal
Party moguls in the 1947, 1949 and 1951 elections.

Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay

Seventh President
Third President of the Third Republic
1953 - 1957
The office of the President is the highest in the
land. It can be the humblest also, if we regard it
as we must in the light of basic
democratic principles. The first of these
principles is the declaration of the Constitution
that "sovereignty resides in the people and all
government authority emanates from them."
This simply means that all of us in public office
are but servants of the people.
He is known as president of the masses.
He was sworn into office wearing the Barong
Tagalog, a first by a Philippine president.

(August 31, 1907 - March 17, 1957)

During his term, he made Malacang Palace

literally a "house of the people", opening its
gates to the public.

He was killed in a plane crash before

the end of his term.

Early life

born in Iba, Zambales on August

31, 1907 to Exequiel Magsaysay,
a blacksmith, and Perfecta del
Fierro, a schoolteacher.
He entered the University of the
Philippines in 1927.
He worked as a chauffeur to
support himself as he studied
engineering; later
transferred to the Institute of
Commerce at Jose Rizal College
(1928-1932), where he received a
baccalaureate in commerce.
He then worked as automobile
mechanic and shop
superintendent.
he joined the motor pool of the
31st Infantry Division of the
Philippine army during WW2.
Congressman under Pres Roxas
Administration and serve as
Chairman of the House National
Defense Committee
Secretary of National Defense
during Pres Quirinos
Administration

Achievements
Agrarian Reform
established the National Resettlement and
Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) to
resettle dissidents and landless farmers. It
was particularly aimed at rebel returnees
providing home lots and farmlands in
Palawan and Mindanao.
Savior of democracy in the Philippines
Man of the Masses
Stopped the HUK communist rebellion
Improved the conditions of the barrios
Constructed roads, bridges, irrigation
canals
Established the SEATO: Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization
Imposed high moral standard for public
officials

Problems
Impending projects
Lack of enough funds
Graft and corruption

Carlos Polistico Garcia

Eight President Fourth
President of the Third Republic
1957 - 1961

As a people, we prize highly the moral

and spiritual values of life. But the
realities of the moment have made us
more preoccupied with economic
problems chiefly concerning the material
values of national life.
known for his "Filipino First" policy,
which put the interests of the Filipino
people above those of foreigners and
of the ruling party.
(November 4, 1896 June 14, 1971)
was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator,
lawyer, public official, and guerrilla
leader.

Early Life

born in Talibon, Bohol to Policronio Garca and

Ambrosia Polestico
his father serving as a municipal mayor for four
terms.
primary education in Talibon,
secondary education in Cebu Provincial High
School.
took law courses at Silliman University in
Dumaguete City.
studied in Philippine Law School (now
Philippine College of Criminology) and earned
his degree in 1923. He was among the top ten
in the bar examination.
he worked as a teacher for two years at Bohol
Provincial High School.
became famous for his poetry in Bohol, where
he earned the nickname "Prince of Visayan
Poets" and the "Bard from Bohol".
1925-1931 as Congressman of Third District of
Bohol
1931-1946 governor of Bohol. He served as
provincial governor for two terms.
He became a member of the congress in
1946, and was elected three times to the
senate for three consecutive terms from 1941
to 1953.
Garcia was the running mate of Ramon
Magsaysay in the presidential election of 1953.
He was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs
by President Ramon Magsaysay, for four years
concurrently serving as vice-president.

Significant events in their term:

He assumed the presidency the day after

Ramon Magsaysay's death. After Garcia
finished Magsaysay's term, he was elected
president in his own right.
President Garcia is most remembered most
for his Austerity Program and Filipino First
Policy. His Austerity Program was aimed at
curbing graft and corruption within the
government.
Problems during his Presidency:
Although it was not very successful, it did
help to restore trust between the people and
the government.
He was among the founders of the
Association for Southeast Asia (1963)
He was the precursor of the Association for
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Successes of each President after their

term:
The Filipino First Policy put the rights
of Filipinos above those of foreigners
(This favored the Filipino businessmen
in contrast to foreign investors. This
meant, foreigners could invest capital
up to 40% in a business or industry
while the remaining 60% would be
owned by Filipino citizens.)
Garcia's policies aimed at boosting the
economy and obtaining greater
economic independence. Garcia also
aimed at reviving old Filipino cultural
traditions which might have become
extinct as the result of the adoption of
Spanish and American cultures
through colonization.

Problems
Graft and corruption
Lack of treasury funds
Huge national debt
Impending projects

Garcia ran for president again in the

1961 elections but lost to Vice-President
Diosdado Macapagal. On June 1, 1971,
Garcia was elected delegate of the 1971
Constitutional Convention and chosen as
president. He died two weeks later from
a heart attack.

Diosdado Pangan Macapagal

Ninth President
Fifth President of the Third Republic
1961 - 1965
Our first mission is the solution of the
problem of corruption. We assume
leadership at a time when our nation is
in the throes of a moral degeneration
unprecedented in our national history.

"Poor boy from Lubao"

"The Incorruptible"
Diosdado Macapagal is of royal blood due to
descent from their great-great-grandfather:
Don Juan Macapagal (A prince of Tondo) who
was a great-grandson of the last reigning
Rajah of Selurong, Rajah Lakandula.

(September 28, 1910 April 21, 1997)

Early Life

born on September 28, 1910 in

Lubao, Pampanga
graduating valedictorian at Lubao
Elementary School, and salutatorian
at Pampanga High School.
He finished his pre-law course at the
University of the Philippines, then
enrolled at Philippine Law School in
1932, studying on a scholarship and
supporting himself with a part-time
job as an accountant.
topping the 1936 bar examination
with a score of 89.95%
After passing the bar examination,
Macapagal was invited to join an
American law firm as a practicing
attourney, a particular honor for a
Filipino at the time.[
Master of Laws degree in 1941, a
Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1947,
and a Ph.D. in Economics in 1957.

Political Career
legal assistant to President Manuel L. Quezon and
President Jose P. Laurel in Malacaang Palace.
After the war, Macapagal worked as an assistant
attorney with the one of the largest law firms in the
country, Ross, Lawrence, Selph and Carrascoso.
President Manuel Roxas appointed him to the
Department of Foreign Affairs as the head of its legal
division.
In 1948, President Elpidio Quirino appointed
Macapagal as chief negotiator in the successful
transfer of the Turtle Islands in the Sulu Sea from the
United Kingdom to the Philippines.
That same year, he was assigned as second secretary
to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. In 1949,
he was elevated to the position of Counselor on Legal
Affairs and Treaties, at the time the fourth highest post
in the Philippine Foreign Office.
He first won election in 1949 to the House of
Representatives,representing a district in his home
province of Pampanga.
In 1957 he became vice president in the
administration of President Carlos P. Garcia

Presidency
During his term, Macapagal fought to suppress graft
and corruption within the government and also tax
evasion.
He also aimed to stimulate the economy and placed
the peso in the free currency-exchange market,
encouraging the wealthiest families to invest.
Macapagal also passed the Land Reform Bill which
freed many farmers from slavery as tenant farmers.
Another of his achievements was the forming of
Maphilindo (Malaysia, the Philippines and
Indonesia) through a foreign policy. This paved the
way for the creation of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
It was Macapagal who changed the Independence
Day to June 12 from July 4.The first celebrations
commemorating independence from Spain were held
in 1962.
Among the most significant achievements of
Macapagal as president were the abolition of tenancy
and accompanying land reform program in the
Agricultural Land Reform Code of 1963.
In 1971, he was elected president of the
constitutional convention that drafted what became
the 1973 constitution.

Problems
Acute problem in unemployment
Widespread mass poverty
Graft and corruption problem
Lack of treasury funds
a number his reforms were blocked
by the Nacionalista dominated Senate
and House of Representatives.

Ferdinand Emmanuel
Edralin Marcos
Tenth President
Sixth President of the Third Republic
1965-1986

This nation can be great again. This I have

said over and over. It is my articles of faith,
and Divine Providence has willed that you and
I can now translate this faith into deeds.
in 1949, he said:
Elect me your congressman now and Ill
give you an Ilokano President in 20
years.

(September 11, 1917 September 28,1989)

It is generally known that Marcos had the most infrastructure and

constitutional accomplishments, which were equivalent to those of all
former presidents of the Philippines.

Early life and career

born on September 11, 1917, in

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
named after Ferdinand VII of
Spain and baptized into the
Philippine Independent Church.
a champion debater at the
UP;also participated in boxing,
swimming and wrestling.
1939-cum laude with a law degree
from the U.P. College of Law; was
elected to the Pi Gamma Mu
international honor society.
passed the bar examination with
one of the highest scores in
history, while also writing an 800page defense.
1941-serve as part of military
against Japanese and became
one of the victim of Bataan Death
March

Early political career

Congressman for 3 terms
Senator; served as minority floor leader
before gaining the Senate presidency.
established a record for having
introduced a number of significant bills,
many of which found their way into the
republic's statute books

Plans for economic development

and good government/
Achievements
First term (1965-1969)
immediate construction of roads, bridges and
public works, which included 16,000 kilometers of
feeder roads, some 30,000 lineal meters of
permanent bridges,
a generator with an electric power capacity of
one million kilowatts (1,000,000 kW),
water services to eight regions and 38 localities.
revitalization of the judiciary, the national
defense posture and the fight against smuggling,
criminality, and graft and corruption in the
government.
mobilized the manpower and resources of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for action
to complement civilian agencies
hired technocrats and highly educated persons
to form part of the cabinet and
It was during his first term that the North
Diversion Road (now, North Luzon Expressway)
was constructed with the help of the AFP
engineering construction battalion.
Vietnam War; over 10,450 Filipino soldiers were
sent to South Vietnam under the designation of
PHLCAAG or Philippines Civil Affairs Assistance
Group.

Second Term 1969-1972

reelected because of his impressive performance

In 1969, the Philippines experienced higher inflation rate and devaluation of the Philippine peso.
the oil-producing Arab countries decided to cut back oil production, in response to Western
military aid to Israel in the Arab-Israeli conflict, resulting in higher fuel prices worldwide.
The communal violence in Mindanao resulted in 100,000 refugees, burning of hundred of
homes, and the death of hundreds of Christians and Muslims in Cotabato and Lanao.
an economic crisis brought by external and internal forces, a restive and radicalized studentry
demanding reforms in the educational system, a rising tide of criminality, subversion by the reorganized Communist movement, and secession in the south.
On August 21, 1971, following the bombing of the Liberal Party proclamation rally in Plaza
Miranda, President Marcos issued Proclamation No.889 suspending the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus.

Martial law and the New Society

It is easier perhaps and more comfortable to look back to the solace of a familiar and mediocre past.
But the times are too grave and the stakes too high for us to permit the customary concessions to
traditional democratic processes.
Ferdinand Marcos, January 1973
Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1081. Marcos,
ruling by decree, curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties, closed down Congress and media
establishments, and ordered the arrest of opposition leaders and militant activists
constitutional convention in 1970 to replace the colonial 1935 Constitution.The new constitution
went into effect in early 1973, changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary and
allowing Marcos to stay in power beyond 1973.

Third Term (1981-1986)

Fourth Republic
We love your adherence to democratic principles and to
the democratic process, and we will not leave you
in isolation.
U.S. VP George H. W. Bush
during
Ferdinand Marcos
inauguration, July 1981

June 16, 1981, six months after the lifting of martial

law, the first presidential election in twelve years
was held. As to be expected, President Marcos ran
and won a massive victory over the other
candidates
In 1983, Benigno Aquino, Jr. was assassinated at
the Manila International Airport upon his return to
the Philippines after a long period of exile. This
coalesced popular dissatisfaction with Marcos and
began a succession of events, including pressure
from the United States.
The Philippine economy suffered a great decline
after the Aquino assassination in August 1983.
The political troubles also hindered the entry of
foreign investments, and foreign banks stopped
granting loans to the Philippine government.
the economy experienced negative economic
growth beginning in 1984 and continued to decline
despite the government's recovery efforts.
rampant graft and corruption within the government
and by Marcos' lack of credibility.
Marcos himself diverted large sums of government
money to his party's campaign funds.
The unemployment rate ballooned from 6.30% in
1972 to 12.55% in 1985.

Downfall

rampant corruption
political mismanagement by his relatives and cronies
having looted billions of dollars from the Filipino
treasury
notorious nepotist, appointing family members and
close friends to high positions in his cabine
The Philippine government today is still paying
interests on more than US$28 billion public debts
incurred during his administration.
Marcos's health deteriorated rapidly due to kidney
ailments
Marcos called a snap presidential election for 1986,
with more than a year left in his term.
the final tally of the National Movement for Free
Elections, an accredited poll watcher, showed Aquino
winning by almost 800,000 votes. However, the
government tally showed Marcos winning by almost
1.6 million votes.
Popular sentiment in Metro Manila sided with Aquino,
leading to a massive, multisectoral congregation of
protesters, and the gradual defection of the military
to Aquino led by Marcos' cronies, Enrile and Ramos.
The "People Power movement" drove Marcos into
exile, and installed Corazon Aquino as the new
president.

Legacy
I. Food sufficiency
A. Green Revolution
Production of rice was increased through promoting
the cultivation of IR-8 hybrid rice.
B. Blue Revolution
Marine species like prawn, mullet, milkfish, and
golden tilapia were being produced and distributed
to farmers at a minimum cost.

C. Liberalized Credit
More than one thousand rural banks spread all over
the country resulting to the accessibility of credit to
finance purchase of agricultural inputs, hired labor,
and harvesting expenses at very low interest rate.

D. Decontrol Program
Price control polices were implemented on rice and
corn to provide greater incentive to farmers to
produce more.
II. Education Reform
The literacy rate climbed from 72% in 1965 to 93%
in 1985 and almost 100% in Metro Manila on the
same year.
III. Agrarian Reform
Tenants Emancipation Act of 1972 or PD 27 was
the first Land Reform Code of our country.
IV. Primary Health Care
The Primary Health Care (PHC) Program made
medical care accessible to millions of Filipinos in
the remotest barrios of the country.
V. Housing for the masses
Bagong Lipunan Improvement of Sites and
Services (BLISS) Housing project had expanded
the governments housing program for the lowincome group.

VI. Energy Self-Reliance

Indigenous energy sources were developed like hydro,
geothermal, dendrothermal, coal, biogas and biomass.
VII. Export Development
During 1985 textile and textile products were exported
VIII. Labor Reform
The Labor code was promulgated which expanded the
concerns of the Magna Carta of Labor to extend greater
protection to labor, promote employment, and human resource
development.
IX. Unprecedented Infrastructure Growth
The countrys road network had improved from 55,778
kilometers in 1965 to 77,950 in five years (1970), and
eventually reached 161,000 kilometers in 1985.
X. Political Reform
The structure of government established by President Marcos
remains substantially the same except the change of name,
inclusive of superficial features in laws, to give a semblance of
change from that of President Marcos regime.
XI. Fiscal Reform
Government finances were stabilized by higher revenue
collections and loans from treasury bonds, foreign lending
institutions and foreign governments.
XII. Peace and Order
In 1966, more than 100 important smugglers were arrested; in
three years 1966-68 they arrested a total of 5,000. Military men
involved in smuggling were forced to retire. Peace and order
significantly improved in most provinces however situations in
Manila and some provinces continued to deteriorate until the
imposition of martial law in 1972.

Maria Corazon "Cory" Sumulong

Cojuangco Aquino
Eleventh President of the Philippines
First Female President
First President of Fifth Republic
1986-1992
First elected female head of state in Asia
Best remembered for leading the 1986 EDSA
People Power Revolution, which toppled the
authoritarian regime of the late strongman
Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in
the Philippines

Icon of Democracy

(January 25, 1933 August 1, 2009)

EDUCATION

Elementary and Secondary

St. Scholastica's College

Ravenhill Academy in
Philadelphia, United States
Notre Dame Convent School in
New York

College

Bachelor of Arts, College of

Mount Saint Vincent in New York
(1953)
Doctor of Humanities, honoris
causa, College of Mount Saint
Vincent, New York, Ateneo de
Manila University, Xavier
University (Philippines)
Doctor of Humanities, honoris
causa, University of Boston,
Fordham University, Waseda
University (Tokyo), Far Eastern
University, and University of Sto.
Tomas
Honoris Causa, Stonehill College
(Massachusetts)

born on January 25, 1933 to Jose Cojuangco of

Tarlac, a wealthy Chinese Filipino and Demetria
Sumulong of Antipolo, Rizal, an ethnic Filipina who
belongs to a politically influential clan
Married to late Sen. Benigno Ninoy Aquino
The couple produced five offsprings, four girls and
one boy, namely: Maria Elena (Ballsy), Aurora
Corazon(Pinky), Benigno Simeon III (NoyNoy),
Victoria Eliza (Viel) and Kristina Bernadette (Kris)
Declared herself as a plain housewife
Led the 1986 People Power Revolution
Established Presidential Commission on Good
Government (PCGG) during her presidency
issued Proclamation No. 3, which established a
revolutionary government
Family Code of 1987, Administrative Code of 1987
(reorganized the structure of the executive branch
of government ), 1991 Local Government Code
Economic Management and Agrarian Reform as
her top agenda as president

IMPORTANT NOTES IN HISTORY

-Agreed to run for president against Marcos in the
February 7, 1986 Snap Election after her
supporters gathered a million signatures.
-Installed as the President of the Republic of the
Philippines on February 25, 1986 because of the
historic People's Power which stripped Marcos of
power.
-Took oath under Supreme Court Justice Claudio
Teehankee as President of the Philippines at Club
Filipino.
-Implemented a program of reconciliation and freed
political prisoners like Bernabe Buscayno of the
New People's Army and Jose Maria Sison of the
Communist Party of the Philippines.
-Retained the presidential form of government.
-Under her reign,a national plebiscite was held to
ratify the amendments to the 1935 Constitution on
February 2, 1987,
Named Woman of the Year by Time Magazine.
-Awarded the Gawad Eleanor Roosevelt for Human
Rights
-Her popularity waned because of the people
around her who wanted to exact vengeance on
Marcos.
-Six coup d' etat aimed at overthrowing her
government took place during her reign, the two
bloodiest of which took place in 1987 and 1989.
-The country went through great problems and
calamities during her reign like the earthquake of,
July 16, 1990; Typhoon Rufing and increase in the
price of oil due to the Middle East War and
the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991.

Problems as President
Natural disasters and calamities
nine coup attempts against her
administration
graft and corruption
failure of the land reform
rising prices
inadequate essential public service
economic decline

Awards and achievements

1986 Time Magazine Woman of the Year
1986 Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award
1986 United Nations Silver Medal
1986 Canadian International Prize for Freedom
1986 Nobel Peace Prize nominee
1986 International Democracy Award from the International
Association of Political Consultants
1987 Prize For Freedom Award from Liberal International
1993 Special Peace Award from the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace
Awards Foundation and Concerned Women of the Philippines
1994 One of 100 Women Who Shaped World History (by G.M.
Rolka, Bluewood Books, San Francisco, CA)
1995 Path to Peace Award
1996 J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding
from the U.S. Department of State
1998 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding
1998 Pearl S. Buck Award
1999 One of Time Magazine's 20 Most Influential Asians of the
20th Century
2001 World Citizenship Award
2005 David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards
2005 One of the World's Elite Women Who Make a Difference by
the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame
2006 One of Time Magazine's 65 Asian Heroes
2008 One of A Different View's 15 Champions of World Democracy
EWC Asia Pacific Community Building Award
Women's International Center International Leadership Living
Legacy Award
Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize
United Nations Development Fund for Women Noel Award for
Political Leadership

Fidel Valdez Ramos

Twelfth President
Third President of the Fifth Republic
There are no easy tasks, no soft
comforts for those chosen by
circumstances to forge from the
crucible of crisis the national
destiny.

Philippines 2000
Five-Point Program:
Peace and Stability
Economic Growth and Sustainable
Development
Energy and Power Generation
Environmental Protection
Streamlined Bureaucracy
First Protestant President of the country
Only Filipino officer in history to have held every rank in the Philippine military from
Second Lieutenant to Commander-in-Chief

Early Life
born March 18, 1928 in Lingayen, Pangasinan
He took his elementary education in Lingayen and
secondary education at the University of the Philippines
Integrated School and Centro Escolar University
Integrated School
Philippine Military Academy as cadet and won a
government scholarship to the United States Military
Academy in West Point
Masters Degree in Civil Engineering in the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a
government scholar in 1951
licensed civil engineer in the Philippines, passing the
board exams in 1953 and finishing in the top 10.
In 1960, he topped Special Forces-Psy OperationsAirborne course at the United States Army Infantry
School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Master's Degree in National Security Administration
from the National Defense College of the Philippines
and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from
the Ateneo de Manila University
2nd Lieutenant infantry platoon leader in the Philippine
Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) in 1952 during
the Korean War to Chief of Staff of the Philippine Civil
Action Group to Vietnam from 1966 to 1968

instrumental in founding the Philippine Army

Special Forces, an elite paratroop unit skilled
in community development as well as fighting
communist insurgents.
served the Marcos regime for more than 20
years. He was head of the Philippine
Constabulary, the country's national police
force, and was one of Marcos' trusted
advisers, for which he was known as a
member of the Rolex 12, an elite group of
loyal to Marcos himself
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, and later Secretary of National
Defense under Pres. Aquino

Programs
Power crisis- Ramos issued licenses to independent power producers (IPP) to construct power plants
within 24 months
Economic reforms- (E-VAT law) from 4% to 10% mandated by World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund; 'Philippines 2000'
Death penalty- In 1996 Ramos signed a bill that returned capital punishment with the electric chair
Peace with separatists- he signed into law Republic Act 7636, which repealed the Anti-Subversion Law.
With its repeal, membership in the once-outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines became legal
Spratly Islands- starting to claim the Islands from China
Migrant Workers Protection- enactment of Republic Act 8042, better known as the Magna Carta for
Overseas Workers or the Migrant Workers Act

Achievements

Problems

Philippine 2000

Southern Philippines Council for

Peace and Development

ARMM
Peace Agreement with the MNLF
Increased foreign investments
APEC

Graft and Corruption

problems
Economic Problems
High crime rate
Charter change
Clark Centennial Expo
Scandal
PEA-Amari Scandal
Power crisis
Spratly Islands
Asian Financial Crisis

Joseph Ejercito Estrada

Thirteenth President
Third President of Fifth Republic
1998-2001
One hundred years after Kawit, fifty years after
independence, twelve years after EDSA, and
seven years after the rejection of foreign bases, it
is now the turn of the masses to experience
liberation. We stand in the shadow of those who
fought to make us free- free from foreign
domination, free from domestic tyranny, free from
superpower dictation, free from economic
backwardness.

Gained popularity as a film actor,

playing the lead role in over 100 films
in an acting career spanning 33 years

Early Life
Joseph Marcelo Ejercito, popularly
known as Erap, was born on April 19,
1937 in Tondo, the poorest district of
Manila
Ateneo de Manila University- high
school;expeled because of unruly
behavior
Mapa Institute of Technology;
engineering course, but dropped out
from studies altogether two years
later.
Began in Film at 20 years of age
first FAMAS Hall of Fame awardee for
Best Actor (1981)
Hall of Fame award-winner as a
producer (1983)

entered politics in 1967 when he ran for

mayor of San Juan, a municipality of Metro
Manila but proclaimed mayor in 1969, after
winning an electoral protest against Dr.
Braulio Sto. Domingo.
Senator; chairman of the senate committee
on cultural minorities and passed a bill on
commission on ancestral domain.
sponsored bills that were signed into law,
namely, The Preservation of the Carabao
(Republic Act no. 7307)The Construction of
Irrigation Projects (Republic Act no. 6978)
Vice-President; chairman of the Presidential
Anti-Crime Commission (PACC). Estrada
arrested criminal warlords and kidnapping
syndicates.

Programs

Domestic Policies
Agrarian Reform
The administration distributed more than 266,000 hectares of
land to 175,000 landless farmers, including land owned by the traditional
rural elite. (Total of 523,000 hectares to 305,000 farmers during his 2nd
year as President)
Anti-Crime Task Forces
Executive Order No.8;creation of the Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) with the objective of minimizing, if
not totally eradicating, car theft and worsening kidnapping cases in the
country
Charter Change
CONCORD or Constitutional Correction for Development;
would
only amend the 'restrictive' economic provisions of the
constitution that is considered as impeding the entry of more foreign
investments in the Philippines.
International Relations
strengthened bilateral ties with neighboring countries; Visiting
Forces Agreement with the United States, which was ratified in the Senate
Economy
The Estrada administration is said to have a strong economic
team
War against the MILF
In 2000 he declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front and captured it's headquarters and other camps

Achievements
Erap para sa Mahirap Project

Problems
The Philippine Daily Inquirer; bias,
malice and fabrication" against him
The Manila Times; libel suit against
the country's oldest newspaper the
Manila Times over a story that alleged
corruption in the awarding of a public
works project
BW Resources; BW Resources a
small gaming company listed on the
Philippine Stock Exchange and linked
to people close to Estrada
experienced "a meteoric rise"
Corruption charges and
impeachment; allegations of
corruption spawned an impeachment
trial in the Senate, and in 2001
Estrada was ousted from power after
the trial was aborted.

Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Fourteenth President
Fourth President of the Fifth Republic
Second Female President
2001- Present
I believe in leadership by example.
We should promote solid traits such
as work ethic and a dignified lifestyle,
matching action to rhetoric,
performing rather than
grandstanding.

Biography

Born on April 5, 1947; Daughter of former

Pres. Diosdado Macapagal and Eva
Macaraeg

Valedictorian, Elementary and Highschool at

Assumption Convent, 1964

Magna Cum Laude, BA Economics at

Assumption College, 1968

Consistent Deans List, Georgetown Univ.s

Walsh School of Foreighn Svc in Washington
D.C. (Former US Pres Bill Clinton as
classmate)

Professor of Economics 1977-1987

Masters Degree in Economics ADMU 1978

Doctorate Degree in Economics UP 1985

Chairperson of Economics Dept. at

Assumption College

1987, Asst. Sec of DTI

President, 1st Term 2001-2004

Strong Republic
-strong bureaucracy
-lowering crime rates
-increasing tax collection
-improving economic growth
-intensifying counter-terrorism efforts

As Senator
Ranked as 13th and has 3 year term, 1992
Top in the election, 1995
400 bills, 55 sponsored or authored laws ( Antisexual harrasment Law, the Indigenous Peoples
Rights Law, Export Devt Act

As Vice President
Run under Lakas CMD with Jose de Venecia
Sen Edgardo angara as opponent
1st Female Vice President
Sec of DSWD (resigned in 2000 because of
allegation against Pres. Estrada
Became President through EDSA 2
Sworn as President by Chief Justice Hilario
Davide Jr.
International community expressed that Arroyo
with the church and business elites were an
opportunist of post and planned well the coup
May 1, 2001 EDSA 3 against arroyo
administration; Manila was declared in State of
Rebellion

Oakwood Mutiny

2nd Term, 2004-Present

July 27, 2003

Dec 2002- Arroyo announced that she will not run for
Pres in 2004 Election but 10 months after she
reversed her decision.

Led by Lt. Antonio

Trillanes IV, Army Capt.
Gerardo Gambala of the
Phil. Navy
Arroyo Administration
was going to proclaim
Martial Law and issue of
corruption

2004 Presidential Election- FPJ, Ping Lacson, Raul

Roco and Eddie Villanueva as her opponent
Issues as President after 2004 Election
Hello Garci Tape
State of Emergency under Proclamation No.
1017
Manila Peninsula Rebellion
NBN ZTE Deal
-32 Satisfaction rate as of 1st quarter of 2009,
lowest rate among the presidents
Impeachment complaints
Extra-judicial killings

President Gloria MacapagalArroyo's 10-point Agenda

Programs
1.

The creation of six million jobs in six years via more

opportunities given to entrepreneurs, tripling of the
amount of loans for lending to small and medium
enterprises and the development of one to two million
hectares of land for agricultural business.

2.

The construction of new buildings, classrooms, provision

of desks and chairs and books for students and
scholarships to poor families,

3.

The balancing of the budget,

4.

The "decentralization" of progress around the nation

through the use of transportation networks like the rollon, roll-off and the digital infrastructure,

5.

The provision of electricity and water supply to barangays

nationwide,

6.

The decongestion of Metro Manila by forming new cores

of government and housing centers in Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao,

EO 464- forbidding govt officials w/0 Arroyos

consent in congressional inquiries

7.

The development of Clark and Subic as the best

international service and logistic centers in the region,

Estrada pardon last Oct 25, 2007

8.

The automation of the electoral process

9.

A just end to the peace process, and

Economy- 5% GDP, highest percentage than 3

previous administartion
EVAT- economic reform agenda, Nov 2005
International Relations
Philippine as No.1 ally of USA
Foreign Policy is anchored on building
strong ties with nations where OFW work
and live
RP as host of 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu
City
Domestic Relations
Charter Change-federal parliamentaryunicameral form of government

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness among the Edsa 1, 2

and 3 forces.

Awards / Commendations /
Citations:
Magazine, Public Eye Magazine, Trade
Union Congress of the Philippines, and
by Emil Jurado (Manila Standard
Columnist)
Woman of the Year, Catholic
Education Association of the
Philippines
Ulirang Ina, Ulirang Ina Awards
Committee, 13 May 2001
One of Asias Most Powerful Women,
Asiaweek
Making a Difference for Women
Women of Distinction Award,
Soroptimist International of the
Philippines Region, 30 May 2003
Most Distinguished Alumna, University
of the Philippines Alumni Association
(UPAA), 16 June 2001